On December 25, the Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau issued the Notice on Matters Related to Further Optimization of the Management Service of Work Permits for Foreigners in China. The Further optimization of work permit management services for foreigners in Ningbo City in China is as follows。
12月25日，宁波市科技局发布《关于进一步优化外国人在华工作许可管理服务有关问题的通知》。进一步优化宁波市外国人来华工作许可管理服务。
Reindeer further provided professional interpretations for each notification and confirmed with the Bureau of Experts. The key points of understanding important notifications in China are as follows.
灵达也根据每条通知进一步进行了专业的解读和致电专家局一一确认如下，带你轻松读懂中国重要通知的要点。
1.Open the green channel for the transfer of high-end talents in the Yangtze River Delta region.
开通长三角区域高端人才转聘绿色通道
Foreigners who have been identified as high-end foreign talents (Category A) in other cities in the Yangtze River Delta region shall be transferred to Ningbo, and within the term of the labor (employment) contract, in principle, the term of the work permit shall not be less than the previous permit period, and provide a fast green channel for expedited processing according to the application.
长三角区域其他城市已认定为外国高端人才（a类）的外籍人士转聘至我市，在劳动（聘用）合同期限内，原则上给予工作许可期限不低于前次获得的许可期限，并依申请提供快捷办理绿色通道。
Reindeer View
Quick processing through the green channel has been implemented in Ningbo. Regarding the new approval period for work permits, cities in the Yangtze River Delta region will refer to the specific circumstances of previous permits as an important basis. Additionally, the conditions of new company in Ningbo will be evaluated based on this qualification. If the various approval conditions are met, the new work permit validity period is highly likely to be no less than the previous approval period.
快捷办理绿色通道，宁波已开始实施；关于就业证新的批准期限，长三角区域城市会参考之前获证的具体情况作为重要依据，同时在此基础上另会评估宁波新单位的条件。如果符合各项审批条件，那么新的就业证有效期限就大概率不会低于前次的获批期限。
2.Simplify the certification requirements for work permit materials and documents.
简化工作许可材料文书认证要求
Foreigners who meet the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Cancellation of the Requirements for the Certification of Foreign Documents to work in Ningbo need only apply for an additional certificate issued by the authorized foreign affairs department of the host country to replace the consular certification and simplify the transnational circulation procedure of documents when preparing the materials related to the work permit, such as proof of no criminal record, academic and degree certificates.
符合《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》有关规定的来甬工作外国人，准备工作许可所涉及的无犯罪记录证明、学历学位证书等材料时，只需办理所在国经授权的外事部门签发的附加证明书，替代领事认证，简化公文书跨国流转程序。
Reindeer View
In our previous report, we mentioned that despite the national policy being released, various relevant departments had not yet early started implementing it at the time of our previous publication. However, we have that received a clear response, stating that most countries can adopt now the Apostille. (You can click on our previous report to view the list of all applicable countries.)
这里之前我们也发布过一篇报道，即使国家政策已出，在我们上期报道时各个相关部门还是没有开始实行的。现在已经得到了明确的答复，大部分国家可以采用海牙认证。（可以点击我们前篇报道查看所有可用国家清单）
3.Actively deepen the "one-issue" service for work and residence permits
积极深化工作居留许可“一件事”服务
Implement the "work and residence permit" mechanism for foreigners coming to China, conduct joint examination and approval by foreign experts and exit-entry administrative departments, and allow employers to apply for the extension of work permits and residence permits for foreigners online at the same time, thus shortening the processing time for the two permits.
实施外国人来华“工作居留一件事”工作机制，开展外专、出入境管理部门的联合审批，用人单位可为受聘外国人在线同时申请工作许可和居留许可的延期业务，缩短两证办理时间。
Reindeer View
This notification mainly applies to non-first-time extension applications for work permits and residence permits. Under this circumstance, applicants are allowed to apply online through the system without the need to appear in person, which helps to expedite the approval process.
此通知主要针对非首次延期申请就业证和居留许可情况下，申请人可以不用到场，可以线上系统先申请以缩短审批时间。
4.Conditionally expand the scope of "commitment" and "tolerance acceptance" for work permit materials.
有条件扩展工作许可材料“承诺”“容缺”范围
The commitment system is adopted for the degree (academic) certificate and authentication, certificate of no criminal record and authentication of foreign high-end talents (Category A) (except for the positions of foreign teachers and institutional trainers). If an employer recruits scientific research talents who do not meet the standards of Category A and is temporarily unable to provide the degree (academic) certificate and authentication or the certificate of no criminal record, it may adopt the "commitment" + "make-up after tolerance acceptance" measures, and the materials may be supplemented and corrected later.
对外国高端人才（a类）的学位（学历）证明及认证、无犯罪记录证明及认证等材料采用承诺制（外籍教师及机构培训师岗位除外）。用人单位聘请未达a类标准的科研类人才，暂时无法提供学位（学历）证明及认证或无犯罪记录证明及认证的，可采用“承诺”（需工）+“容缺后补”措施，材料允许后续补正。
Reindeer View
This provision mainly applies to foreign nationals holding a Category B work permit who are engaged in scientific research-related work. Regarding the timeline for submitting the two aforementioned materials, it will be assessed and approved by the designated foreign expert teachers based on the individual circumstances of the applicant. They can apply for and obtain an work permit by submitting a "commitment" document under the same conditions as Category A experts, and they can submit the materials within 3 months, 6 months, or even before the next work permit extension. This significantly reduces the approval time a lot.
此项主要针对如果是持B类就业证的外籍人士，如果其工作内容，专业背景均属于科研类的工作，关于补正上述2项材料的时间，按照申请者个人情况由外专老师评估审定，可按A类专家相同条件“承诺”文件先申请获批就业许可，在3个月，6个月，或是下次就业许可延期前提交材料。这也大大缩短了审批时间。
5.Simplify the work permit application documents for the same job transfer
简化同岗位转聘工作许可申请材料
In the case of job transfer, the foreigner's previous and subsequent jobs (occupations) remain the same, and the new employer does not need to repeat the submission of application materials, such as degree (academic) certificates and transcripts, criminal record certificates and transcripts, medical certificates and work qualification certificates, etc., when applying for the work permit.
在工作调动的情况下，外国人以前和以后的工作(职业)保持不变，新雇主在申请工作许可时不需要重复提交申请材料，如学位(学历)证书和成绩单、犯罪记录证书和成绩单、体检证明和工作资格证书等。
Reindeer View
Firstly, the condition for a transfer of employment is that the residence permit is still valid. Additionally, the job position should remain unchanged. Previously, when the above-mentioned documents submitted by the applicant could be found in the expert bureau system, it was exempted from submitting the health examination and non-criminal record certification. With the new notification, the exemption of documents has been further expanded to include educational certificates, work qualifications, and so on.
首先转聘用的条件是所持居留许可在有效期内。同时工作岗位保持不变。以前，在专家局系统能够查找到过去申请人提交的上述文件时，可以免除提交体检和无犯罪记录证明。新通知后，进一步放宽了免除材料包括学历证书，工作资历证明等。
6.Provide online service for the whole process of foreigners' work permit in China
提供外国人来华工作许可
High-end foreign talents (Category A) are required to apply for work permits online in the whole process. Foreign professionals (Category B) shall go to the service window to verify the materials for the first time of applying for work permits, and then apply for extension, cancellation, change, replacement, etc. in the whole process of online processing.
外籍高端人才(A类)全程在线办理工作许可。外籍专业人员(B类)首次办理工作许可时，需到服务窗口核实材料，然后办理延期、注销、变更、换证等全程在线办理
Reindeer View
This provision remains unchanged compared to the previous policy.
该项同之前相比并无变化。
7.Optimize some service guarantees for foreign experts in Ningbo
优化外国专家在甬部分服务保障事项
Provide convenience for foreign experts and their accompanying family members who are included in the service scope of the "Ningbo Expert Management Measures" to apply for work and residence permits, implement "apply and process immediately" for new work permits, and provide convenience for Ningbo social security card processing and related services such as Chinese language training.
为纳入《宁波市专家管理办法》服务范围的外国专家及其随行家属办理工作居留许可提供便利，对新的工作许可实行“立即申请及处理”，为宁波社会保障卡办理和汉语培训等相关服务提供便利。
Reindeer View
We have found Article 17 of the "Expert Management Measures, Version 2023," which provides some relevant explanations. However, the details about the specific benefits enjoyed by foreign experts are somewhat ambiguous. We apologize for not being able to provide clear assistance in understanding this matter.
我们找到了《2023版本的专家管理办法》第17条，有相关说明。但是关于外国专家可享便利详情比较模糊。此项我们未能很好理解帮助大家。
I hope this is the starting point of good news for the convenience of foreigners working in China during this harsh winter.
希望这是寒冬里对外国人在中国就业便利的好消息的起点。
Finally, we would like to thank everyone for their support and attention as we journeyed through 2023 together. Many of the information and articles were provided by our team members based on frequently asked questions from our customers and research on the latest policies. We hope our experience can continue to help you navigate the business landscape in China, avoiding unnecessary detours and providing valuable information.
最后感谢大家陪伴和关注我们一起走过了2023.很多信息和文章均是我们灵达团队的员工根据平时遇到的客人的常问问题和自发的多方调查最新政策来解读，希望根据我们经验能持续帮助到大家在中国商务工作少走弯路，多获得有效信息。
Wishing a happy New Year to our customers and partners！
祝福我们的客人和伙伴新年快乐！
Author作者 | Ryan